Synbiotic effects of β-glucans from cauliflower mushroom and Lactobacillus fermentum on metabolic changes and gut microbiome in estrogen-deficient rats

Abstract

BackgroundWe investigated whether the long-term consumption of a symbiotic formulation with Lactobacillus fermentum (probiotic) and β-glucan from cauliflower mushroom (prebiotic) would delay the progression of post-menopausal symptoms in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and explored their mechanisms of action, including changes in gut microbiota.MethodsOVX rats were fed with high-fat diets containing 1% dextrin (control), 1% lyophilized cauliflower mushroom extract (CFM), 0.1% L. fermentum JS (LFE), 1% CFM plus 0.1% LFE (CFLF), or 30 μg 17β-estradiol/kg body weight (positive-control) for 8 weeks.ResultsCFM contained 95.8% β-glucans. OVX increased the ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the large intestines. Only CFLF lowered tail skin temperature without increasing serum 17β-estradiol and uterine index. Visceral fat mass was lower in CFLF and positive-control groups by increasing daily energy expenditure and fat oxidation. Dyslipidemia induced by OVX was improved by CFM and CFLF as much as in the positive-control group. Homeostasis model assessment estimate of insulin resistance was lower in CFLF than in the positive-control. Hepatic insulin signaling (pAkt➔GSK-3β) was potentiated in the ascending order of the control, LFE, CFM, CFLF, and positive-control. AMPK phosphorylation showed similar patterns of hepatic insulin signaling but LFE increased it more than CFM. The changes in gut microbiota were prevented by CFLF in OVX rats, and the ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the CFLF was similar to the positive-control group.ConclusionOVX changed gut microbiota and was associated with menopausal symptoms; however, the synbiotics, CFM and LFE, prevented menopausal symptoms and improved the gut microbiota in estrogen-deficient rats.

Inulin and metformin ameliorate polycystic ovary syndrome <i>via</i> anti-inflammation and modulating gut microbiota in mice

“…Our further study revealed that amelioration of PCOS phenotype including hormonal disturbance may closely associated with the reduction of inflammation and the alteration of gut microbiota. In this paper, dietary inulin and metformin were demonstrated to possess capacity to alleviate PCOS throughout a series of routine indicators including pathological examination, reduced BWs, as well as rectification of abnormal hormones (T and E2), which were consistent with previous studies [19][20][21][22][23][24].…”

Effects of Sparassis crispa in Medical Therapeutics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…One of those articles was written in Japanese [ 21 ], seven in Korean [ 19 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], and the remaining in English. Among them, some studies demonstrated more than two healing effects of the mushroom [ 7 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Simultaneously, the anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antioxidant activities of S. crispa were reported in seven [ 6 , 12 , 14 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ], nine-teen [ 7 , 13 , 15 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ], four [ 7 , 22 , 30 , 42 ], three [ 19 , 29 , 43 ], and six [ 8 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 44 , 45 ] studies, respectively.…”

A mixture of mulberry and silk amino acids protected against D‑galactosamine induced acute liver damage by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation in HepG2 cells and rats

“…Finally, the triacylglycerol contents of the suspensions were assayed using a Trinder kit (Young Dong Pharm.) (10).…”